Klickitat Trail Conservancy
Trail Notes
Spring 2005
Klickitat Trail History 101
Some highlights of the railroad line that once stretched from Lyle to Goldendale
As you hike and bike on the Klickitat Trail, it is hard not to
wonder what it was like when a railroad line occupied the landscape. The evidence that sparks the imagination is everywhere –
old rail spikes, mileage markers, cables, and the actual rail
corridor that makes it such a perfect trail.
Klickitat. The KL&L operated logging trains that wound
through the woods north from the St. Regis mill in Klickitat.
Logs were loaded onto flatcars in the woods for transport back
to the mill. The company’s logging lines reached from the
Klickitat sawmill to within “whistle distance” of Mount Adams.
At one time, logging spur lines reached as much as 75 miles out
of Klickitat, stretching
The Klickitat Trail Conservancy is working not only to preserve almost to the White
and promote the public use of the trail, but also to capture the Salmon River north of
trail’s history and keep its story alive. We asked local railroad Trout Lake, and it is estimated that between
historian Jesse Burkhardt to help us begin to understand the
1939-1964, the logging
trail’s railroad past.
trains hauled 133,900
cars of pine logs to the
The Goldendale Branch of the SP&S
Klickitat sawmill, at a
By Jessie Burkhardt
rate of 30-35 cars daily.
he Columbia River & Northern Railroad completed a
The SP&S Goldendale
feeder line from Lyle to Goldendale in April 1903 … and Branch was the KL&L’s Evidence of the trail’s recent railroad past is evident in
then had to wait five years until the Spokane, Portland & Seattle connection to the outSwale Canyon. These spring hikers journey over one of
many old trestle bridges that span Swale Creek.
Railway reached Lyle with its east-west mainline, thus providing side world.
Photo: B. Robinson
the CR&N with an outlet. With the arrival of the SP&S, Lyle
was to become a vital shipping point for sheep and wheat. Cen- The SP&S was merged into the newly formed Burlington
terville, at SP&S Milepost 35.9, was a one of the region’s impor- Northern Railroad in 1970.
tant wheat-growing areas in this era.
In the early 1990s, due to declining traffic on the Goldendale
The SP&S purchased the 42-mile Columbia River & Northern Branch, the BN line was taken out of service. In 1993, the rails
Railroad line that ran from Lyle to Goldendale in March 1908, and ties were removed from the branchline. The closure of the
after the SP&S mainline through the Gorge was completed. The mill at Klickitat in the early 1990s was one of the key reasons
line, which paralleled the scenic Klickitat River for much of its the branchline was abandoned.
route, became the Goldendale Branch of the SP&S. The
Goldendale Branch was the only SP&S branchline in WashingLook for more history of the Klickitat Trail in upcoming issues
ton.
of Trail Notes. If you would like to know more about local
In the 1920s, SP&S operated a daily passenger train from Port- railroad history, Jesse Burkhardt spotlights the history of
land to Goldendale and back. This schedule continued for sev- railroads in the region, including on the Goldendale Branch, in
eral years, until the highway opened between Klickitat and Lyle his new book, "Images of Rail: Railroads of the Columbia
and automobile travel became a more convenient option.
River Gorge." The
Inside this issue…
128-page softcover
The SP&S provided daily freight service to serve the town of
book, published in Sep- Railroad history of the trail ........ 1
Klickitat’s lumber mill, which was less than a quarter mile north
tember 2004 by Arcadia
of the depot in Klickitat (Milepost 13.4). The SP&S based a
Trail voices.................................. 2
Publishing, features
local crew at nearby Lyle to serve the mill and other stations
Events & happenings ................. 3
dozens of historical
along the 42-mile branchline to Goldendale. The St. Regis Paphotographs. It retails Mountain biking the trail ........... 4,5
per Co. took over operations at the Klickitat sawmill from the
for $19.99, and can be Spring wildflower guide.............. 6
J. Neils Lumber Co. in January 1957.
found at local
Kids on the trail.......................... 6
bookstores.
A logging railroad known as the Klickitat Log & Lumber Co., a
National trails day event............ 7
subsidiary of St. Regis, connected with the SP&S tracks at
T
Trail map .................................... 8
Page 2
Trail Voices
Dear
KlickitatRiders
Trail Conservancy,
Westside
Find Trail
notes and letters
Warm & Dry
On November 26, 2004, a group of 8 riders from Portland and
Vancouver completed an incredible ride in Klickitat County,
which included the entire Klickitat Trail. We started in Lyle, WA
(42-44 degrees), with 8 riders (2 on cross bikes with narrow
tires, the rest on mountain bikes). We followed the trail to the
top of Swale Canyon, and then returned to Lyle via (paved) Centerville Highway.
Along the way we saw two adult bald eagles, several blue herons, a pair of fighting kestrels and numerous chickadees and
ducks. Near the town of Klickitat the temperature rose to 52
degrees. We left the town and entered Swale canyon at Schilling
Rd. The temperature dropped in the canyon shade, but climbed
once we hit the bridge at Horseshoe Bend and escaped the
canyon shade.
You can clearly see
the rain shadow effect
in Swale Canyon with
Ponderosa Pine and a
fir trees on one side of
the canyon, and
desert scrub on the
other side.
In the upper canyon, we stopped and
chatted with two famiJoe Hamilton of Vancouver, WA leads a fall bike
lies from Bend and
Hood River. They were ride up the Klickitat Trail. Photo: J. Hamilton
on bikes too, with 4 kids (ages 6 to 11) on bikes. The two little
ones were riding kiddies bikes. I'm sure they had to push them
back up the canyon, especially in the heavy gravel sections near
the top.
Four of us continued up Swale Canyon, and the rest headed
back to Lyle via hwy 142. It's too bad they turned back, because
Once we exited Swale canyon, we took Harms Road to the Centhey missed the best part of the ride (and the worst).
terville Hwy. We had a headwind, and the temperature dropped
Swale Canyon is a 3% incline, mostly gravel, but a few sections to the low 40's (closer to 22-25 degrees with the windchill factor). I was expecting one or two hills before the big downhill into
have heavy gravel, and one section has a creek washout that
forced some of us to carry our bikes a few feet. The canyon was Lyle – boy, were we surprised. We climbed another 600-700 feet
before the road finally dropped into Lyle.
eerily quite after we left the last "homestead" trailer house.
Westside Riders, continued page 7
State Park Commissioner Expresses Commitment to the Klickitat Trail
Dear Klickitat Trail Conservancy,
it without KTC, a dedicated group of folks who have really made
the trail what it is. I look forward to continue working with them,
too.
As a dual citizen of Yakima and Lyle, and one of your state park
commissioners, I would like to express my perspective about our
wonderful Klickitat Trail and how it fits with the Commission’s
Almost every time my husband and I are in Lyle, we visit the trail.
vision. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to do this!
We participate in KTC functions as often as possible. I communicate regularly with KTC officers and keep up to speed on your
First, I’d like to talk about the Commission’s Vision 2013.
activities. In Yakima, we talk about the trail and get many quesThat’s the year your park system turns 100. Your commissioners
tions from interested trails fans (yes, people in Yakima have
have adopted a Centennial 2013 vision; the Klickitat Trail is an
been following our progress on the trail and are visitors and supimportant part of that vision. We have said that, “In 2013, Washporters.) At commission meetings, I talk about the trail and KTC
ington’s state parks will be premier destinations of uncommon
activities and push very hard for good policy for all of our trails.
quality, including state and regionally significant natural, culWe even pushed hard for a state trails coordinator and updated
tural, historical and recreational resources that are outstanding
trails plan. Joe Sobinovski is the coordinator who has done a
for public experience, health, enjoyment and learning.” Now, if
great job working with a group of people to update the plan
the Klickitat Trail isn’t all of that, I don’t know what is!
(which the commissioners have adopted) and has met with trail
groups throughout the state.
Our plan to get there includes a commitment to safeguard our
existing parks and facilities; create a legacy of new and imI love and enjoy trails, all kinds of trails, and have spent a career
proved parks, trails and resources; and form 100 connections or
working and advocating for them. This passion will continue and
partnerships to provide new park features. Trails are a vital part
the Klickitat Trail will always hold a special place in my heart and
of our vision for all three of these areas. The Klickitat Trail is spelife as I continue to work with KTC members and just get out on
cifically included as one of the 100 connections: trailheads, visithe trail! Please check the state park’s web site to learn more
tor information, and public restrooms. The KTC may well be our
about our Centennial 2013 Vision and other parks activities:
partner on this connection and could help bring in other local
www.parks.wa.gov and feel free to contact me personally with
partners to share in the investment.
your issues and concerns: ceciliaevelyn@charter.net.
As your local commissioner, I want you to know that I am a huge
Cecelia Vogt
supporter of this vision and the specific vision for the Klickitat
State Park Commissioner
Trail. I’ll continue working closely with both local rangers and
the folks in Olympia to keep our beautiful trail on the radar and
ensure we make progress every year. Of course, we couldn’t do
Page 3
KTC Spring & Summer Events & Happenings
The following are KTC scheduled
events. Everyone is welcome! Please
visit www.klickitat-trail.org for more
details, schedule changes, maps and
trailhead locations.
Pets and smoking are not allowed on
KTC sponsored hikes. Stay on the trail
at all times!
The Lyle trailhead is located in Lyle,
WA on SR 14, across from Greg Colt
Realty.
May 15, Sunday
6 mile Wahkiakus to Suburbia
round-trip hike. Meet at the Klickitat
railroad park at 10 am.
June 4, Saturday
13 mile Swale Canyon hike – official
National Trails Day event. Meet at
the Lyle trailhead at 9 am. Expect to
return at 5 pm.
The Klickitat railroad park is located June 19, Sunday
in the town of Klickitat, one block south 6 mile Wahkiakus to Suburbia
of the of the gas station.
round-trip hike. Meet at the Klickitat
UNDELIVERABLES
We send out timely information to
anyone who wants it by way of an
email “listserv”. We need to keep it
up-to-date, or we suffer a bad case of
bouncing emails.
We also mail out newsletters to all
members and interested parties. This
information needs periodic updating
as well.
Please take the time to update your
email address or mailing address by
sending a note to us at
info@klickitat-trail.org, subject line
“contact info. update”.
railroad park at 10 am.
March 5, Saturday
July 2, Saturday
.
Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge. 8 mile
Thank so much!
hike next to the Klickitat River. Meet Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge. 8 mile
hike next to the Klickitat River. Meet KTC Volunteers
at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
April 2, Saturday #1
Biking Event. Bike either the entire July 31, Sunday
31 miles or use a shuttle for half the Klickitat "Canyon Days” celebration
distance. Meet at the Lyle trailhead Meet at the railroad park in Klickitat
Work It!
at 9 am for a 3 hour hike.
at 9 am. $10 per rider shuttle fee.
Join Barbara Robinson for KTC work
R.S.V.P. (509) 365-2404
parties. Help improve and maintain
August 6, Saturday
the trail. Meet at Lyle trailhead at 9
rd
April 2, Saturday #2
3 annual celebration of the openam through May 16, then at 8 am
ing of the trail. 8 mile hike Pitt to
13 mile Swale Canyon hike.
starting June 5, to beat the heat.
Meet at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am. Fisher Hill Bridge hike & BBQ.
Other work parties may be schedExpect to return at 5 pm.
Meet at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
uled later to do work jointly with
Hike will be followed by a potluck
April 17, Sunday
Washington State Parks staff.
BBQ at the Klickitat railroad park at
Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge. 8 mile
These will be announced by email.
4 pm. All trail supporters are invited
hike next to the Klickitat River. Meet
to the BBQ. Beat the heat by jumpWork Party Dates: June 18 (Saturday)
at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
ing into the Klickitat town swimming March 20 (Sunday)
July 3 (Sunday)
May 7, Saturday #1
hole.
April 16 (Saturday) July 17 (Sunday)
13 mile Swale Canyon
May 16 (Monday) August 7 (Sunday)
September 3, Saturday
“peak of flower bloom” hike.
June 5 (Sunday)
Pitt to Fisher Hill Bridge. 8 mile
Sept. 18 (Sunday)
Meet at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am. hike next to the Klickitat River. Meet
Expect to return at 5 pm.
at the Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
May 7, Saturday #2
Biking Event. Bike either the entire
31 miles or use a shuttle for half the
distance. Meet at the Lyle trailhead
at 9 am. $10 per rider shuttle fee.
R.S.V.P. @ info@klickitat-trail.org.
Family Rambles
Join Pam Springer on kid-paced trail
hikes. Hikes are usually 3 mile round
trips, and last about 2 to 3 hours.
Come prepared, bring snacks & water.
(509) 365-3866 for more information.
March 16: Lyle trailhead at 10 am
April 13: Lyle trailhead at 10 am
May 18: Lyle trailhead at 10 am
June 15: Lyle trailhead at 10 am
July 13: Lyle trailhead at 9 am.
August 17: Lyle trailhead at 9 am
Page 4
M o u n t a i n B i k i n g t h e K l i c k i t a t Tra i l
Handy tips and general information for having a fun ride
By Bob Hansen
and close the gate behind you. The trail is in open range
country, so you must close the gates behind you and be
here are a variety of ways to bike the Klickitat Trail.
watchful of cattle. There are a few technical washouts and
From a jaunt through the town of Klickitat, to an extreme 51 mile loop over paved roads and unpaved trail, the dip-de-dos along the way to provide some fun, but never are
possibilities are endless. The Klickitat Trail offers the begin- there any serious technical obstacles that will prevent you
ning mountain biker a wonderful opportunity to ride a vari- from having a pleasant ride. If you come across a section of
the trail that you don’t feel comfortable riding, disety of surfaces, while
mount your bike and walk around the obstacle.
not being too technical
These technical sections are never very long.
or difficult. The experienced mountain biker
The Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) has port-awill find the Klickitat
potties at three or four locations, depending on the
Trail a hidden Gorge
season. They can be found at the Lyle trailhead
gem just waiting to be
(intersection of SR 14 and 142), Pitt (on the west
explored. You can bike
side, or downstream, of 142), at Wahkiakus
the trail in round-trip
(southwest
of Schilling Road) and at Harms Road
sections, or you can
(this one is removed seasonally when Swale Canyon
organize a car shuttle
is closed by Washington State Parks due to wildfire
and accomplish one
These guys are having WAY too much fun. This biking
danger).
way rides.
group from the Portland/Vancouver area enjoys a
T
November day on the trail. Photo: J. Hamilton
As you travel along the
trail, you will see silver and black mileage marker signs, remnants of the original railroad. They approximate the down
grade distance remaining to the Lyle trailhead, at SR 14. I
recommend mountain biking toward Lyle, or downhill.
General Information to Plan a
Successful Trail Ride
There is rock debris scattered frequently along cliff faces. A
lot of rock has been moved aside, but it is necessary to be
vigilant for large and/or sharp rock debris. Fences have
cropped up recently, but they are easy to see in advance.
Fences mean you must dismount your bike, open the gate
One popular bike route starts with a car
shuttle from the trailhead at Lyle to either the
Harms Road or the Centerville Highway trail
crossings, then bike the trail back to Lyle.
This ride is approximately 30 miles. A shorter
12 mile ride starts at Harms Road and ends at
the parking lot at the Wahkiakus trailhead,
where your second vehicle is waiting.
Another excellent route is the Pitt-to-Lyle
ride. Leave a car at the Fisher Hill Bridge (8.5
miles) or the Lyle trailhead (10.2 miles), drive
to Pitt and then bike back to your car.
Biking Tips for the Klickitat Trail
• Expect to take 3 to 5 hours to bike the entire trail.
• Front suspension for your bike is recommended.
• Carry at least 3 liters of water on a hot day. You can
refill water bottles in the town of Klickitat.
• Slime in your inner tubes will help prevent flats. Carry a
tire repair kit. The yellow-star thistle burrs, a.k.a.
goat’s head, are notorious for puncturing tires.
• Bikers need to exit the trail at Schilling Road, and
re-connect in the town of Klickitat via SR 142. See
Trail Descriptions for more details.
• Carry extra food, sun cream and a first aid kit .
• Beware of ticks, poison oak and rattlesnakes. Lime
Disease is in the area, check for ticks!
• There is currently no predictable cell phone coverage
on the trail, especially in remote Swale Canyon.
• The only way in or out of Swale Canyon is at the
trailheads.
• Stay on the trail. Private property abuts the trail in
most places.
• Swale Canyon is closed seasonally due to fire danger,
usually mid-June –October 1st. Visit
www.klickitat-trail.org for up-to-date information.
Page 5
M o u n t a i n B i k i n g t h e K l i c k i t a t Tra i l
Trail descriptions and mileage information
Trail descriptions, including mile markers and
mileage, starting at Uecker Road. The numbers in
parentheses reflect the mile points, or distances, from
the start of the trail at Uecker Road, moving downgrade
toward Lyle. Visit www.klickitat-trail.org for a map.
Klickitat (17.54) to Pitt (20.73) 3.2 miles
The Klickitat Trail is west of, and adjacent to, the small community park in town center. Once on the trail, head south,
crossing SR 142, proceed past small rural homesteads. The
trail is a bit rocky and sandy in places, particularly in the secFar East End of the Trail 2.2 miles
tion parallel and adjacent to SR 142. It crosses a wetland that
Uecker Road (0.0) to Centerville Highway (often remany walk their bikes around. There is also a section of the
ferred to as Warwick) (0.6) and Harms Road (2.20)
roadbed that has been washed out for about 100 yards. A
Uecker Road is the easterly end of the Klickitat Trail and ties
trail has been bushwhacked at the toe of the road slope, but
directly into The Dalles Mountain Road to the south. Howat this time is generally not rideable. Prior to the
ever, most start either at Centerville Highway or Harms
bushwhacking, the standard approach was to climb the road
Road. This is one of the flattest sections of the trail, a high
embankment with your bike, climb over the guard rail and
prairie setting with distant views of surrounding hills. There
ride the pavement about 100 yards to the dirt access road
are no trees, only shrubby vegetation in the riparian corridor
used by fishermen. This section of trail is probably the worst
that parallels the trail. Currently, there is parking on the
for getting flat tires from “goat’s head” and star thistle.
south and east side of the trail, where it crosses Centerville
Highway. Trail bed is in good condition, with grasses and
Pitt (20.73) to
small vegetation growing on the trail. Close all gates behind
Fisher Hill Road (29.23) 8.5 miles
you.
Pleasant ride through open areas and pine forests. Short dips
and rock piles keep you from drifting off into la-la land. Several gates need to be opened and closed near Pitt. Always
Harms Road (2.20) to Schilling Road (14.17)
This remote section of trail is generally in good shape, with close gates behind you. Do not leave the trail to visit the
Yakama Nation fishing area. This is private tribal land. Exit
several interesting trestle bridges. One washed out section
the trail at the large, concrete Fisher Hill Road Bridge, onto
requires a brief bike walk, and one debris mound about ¼
mile down trail from the big washout is fun for those hungry the road (the old railroad bridge is currently unsafe, and is
closed to the public). Fisher Hill Road crosses under the rail
for a technical challenge. This section of trail is generally
trestle bridge. Turn right onto SR 142 and return to trail on
closed from June through September, sometimes later, depending on fire conditions. Check www.klickitat-trail.org, or the right.
call Columbia Hills office of Washington State Parks,
Fisher Hill Road (29.23) to
(509) 767-1159, to determine if Swale Canyon is open during
SR 14 (30.98) in Lyle 1.7 miles
this period.
Black rock ballast (2” to 3”) along this section of trail is soft
and requires you to keep up your momentum. Eventually
Wahkiacus to Klickitat 2.5 miles
the Forest Service will pave this section of the trail to make it
Schilling Road (14.17) to the town of Klickitat (17.54)
ADA accessible for all, including seniors, toddlers, walkers
At Schilling Road, you will find a KTC port-a-potty in the
parking area. For biking, you must exit the Klickitat Trail at and joggers. There is a port-a-potty tucked in the trees at the
parking area adjacent to SR 14 between the Klickitat River
Schilling road because the trail dead ends downstream. To
reunite with the trail, turn right onto Schilling Road (gravel), and SR 142.
then left on to Horseshoe Bend Road (paved) and continue
Trail Shuttle Service
across the concrete bridge across the Klickitat River to
SR 142. This area is called Wahkiacus. Turn left onto SR142
Rhonda Vogt (509) 369-4578
and bike 3 miles to the town of Klickitat.
Johny & Billie Clarence (509) 369-2662
Swale Canyon 12 miles
call for details and shuttle service prices
Page 6
Spring Wildflowers
By Barbara Robinson
W
ildflowers can be found all along the trail, but are more
profuse in some areas than others. Some of my favorite
wildflower places are in the first three miles north of the Fisher
Hill Bridge, the four miles of Swale Canyon west of Harms Rd.,
the half mile east of Harms Rd., and some choice wet cliff areas.
One of these wet cliffs is about a mile north of Pitt, another one
is 1.5 miles south of Wahkiacus, and a couple more are two or
three miles south of Pitt. Wet cliffs and rocky areas bloom earliest, peaking in March, with mossy gardens of delicate beauties
such as pink prairie stars, purple grass widows, small white saxifrages, and yellow gold stars.
Many of the desert parsleys bloom in March and early April, such
as the purple Columbia desert parsley and the yellow pungent
desert parsley. These beautiful, large flowers form extensive dense
stands in late March and early April along and above my favorite
Swale Canyon section, and many may be seen in the stretch north
of the Fisher Hill Bridge.
places, and the trail just east of Harms Rd. is surrounded by a sea
of purple lupine. Lupine and balsamroot bloom are also abundant
next to the trail and above it in the section of trail one to three
miles north of the Fisher Hill Bridge.
Peaking in early or mid-May, Swale Canyon near Harms Rd., also
displays our native pink phlox,
and white and yellow buckwheats. The bushes covered
with white flowers in mid-May
are mainly mock orange and
choke cherry.
From mid-May to mid-June,
some of our showiest nonnative flowers bloom. At the
Klickitat Trail flower expert, Barbara
Lyle trailhead, and in other
Robinson, stands next to a hillside of
places, you can see blue bache- Ceanothus, which blooms in May, and is
lor buttons and purple vetch, as often called deer brush.
Photo: L. Conway
well as native California poppies
and yarrow. From Wahkiacus to
Suburbia is an unusual non-native, bouncing Bet, which is an oldtime flower garden flower that looks like a large light pink phlox,
and was sometimes used in the old days as a soap substitute.
Western Buttercups, white popcorn flowers, occasional purple
shooting stars (or bird's
beaks), and a few delicate
white Dutchman's breeches
add to the show at that time.
By mid-April, serviceberry
After mid-June the big flower show is over, but there are still nice
bushes are turning white with
surprises. One mile south of Wahkiacus, at the remains of the old
flowers and Oregon grape
gas ice factory, where fizzy mineral water still bubbles up from a
with yellow.
pipe, you may be startled in July by the dramatic yellow flowers of
In the last half of April and
the blazing star. Other surprises I will leave for you to discover.
Russ Jolley's book, Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge, is the "flower
Balsamroot blankets steep slopes and rock early May, balsamroots
hillsides throughout Klickitat County.
(sunflowers) hit their peak,
bible" for our area and will help you identify what you find.
Remote Swale Canyon provides hikers and and the lupines follow close
Happy hunting!
bikers an excellent chance to witness this
behind. From the Swale Canflower drama in person.
Photo: MAC
yon trail you can look up and
see hillsides of Balsamroot in
Kidding Around the Trail By Kevin Gorman
A daunting realization of new parents is the reality that you can no
longer hike wherever you want. After the initial anger and denial subsides comes the realization that you can hike…as long as you do it on
your child’s terms.
The Klickitat Trail offers wonderful opportunities for parents to reacquaint themselves with nature, and their children to discover it. Here
are some suggestions, happy trails!
Babies (4 - 18 months) Nestled in a backpack, they will spend
most of the time sleeping. Whatever trail segment you enjoy,
they’ll enjoy, just keep them out of the sun!
Toddlers (18 months to 3 years) The stretch from Lyle to the
Fisher Hill Bridge is perfect for this age: wide, flat, lots of things
to look at. They will be much more interesting in what is three
feet away than the stunning vista you are enjoying. But keep them
off the Fisher Hill trestle!
Youngsters
(3 to 6 years old) Longer hikes
are possible, particularly if you
let them invite a friend. Try the
Wahkiacus to Suburbia stretch,
which includes the old mineral
spring.
Pre-teens (6 to 12 years old)
Author’s daughter (center with hat) en-
This is good time to take advan- joys a kids’ hike with KTC board member
tage of the trail points with river Barbara Robinson. Photo: K. Gorman
access (make sure you’re not
trespassing) for eagle and salmon watching.
Teens (13 and above) If your teen likes off-road biking, the 15-
mile trek through Swale Canyon could be a wonderful parentchild bonding opportunity. Bring water and equipment to change
a flat tire!
Page 7
Swale Canyon Hike Marks
National Trails Day
O
n June 4, the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) joins
the American Hiking Society in celebrating the 13th annual National Trails Day with a Swale Canyon hike. This will
be the first time that the Conservancy has participated in the
National Trails Day event.
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national
conservation-based recreation organization dedicated to establishing, protecting and maintaining the nation's footpaths and
promoting the hiking experience. With a strong membership
base of individual hikers and hiking clubs, the American Hiking Society represents more than half a million outdoors people and serves as the voice of the American hiker.
Jim Minick, KTC president says, "We are excited to be a part
of this event, in celebration of trails, and hiking and biking on
them. On National Trails Day, we will take hikers through
Swale Canyon, which is located east of the Cascade Mountains
foothills. Swale Canyon is a remote, 1,500 foot basalt gorge.
For the first ten miles of the hike, there are no homes or roads.
There will be an abundance of late spring wildflowers, birds
and other wildlife.”
Please bring 2
quarts of water,
sunscreen, a firstaid kit, lunch and
a hat. Wear
sturdy hiking
shoes or boots.
Be prepared to
hike the entire 13
miles, as there is
no access in or
out of the canyon
once you leave
the trailhead.
The Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC), from SW Portland, spent
a weekend last April hiking the trail. 25 people journeyed east to enjoy
the trail. After a full day of hiking the “Lyle” end of the trail, they
gathered at the Lyle Hotel for some great wine, conversation and an excellent dinner. A moonlight walk ended the evening, and a good night
sleep at the hotel prepared them for another day on the trail. 14 MAC
hikers spent the second day exploring Swale Canyon. Bob Hansen, of
the Conservancy, lead the hike both days. Flowers, owls, beautiful
weather and trail history “wowed” the group, and MAC plan to return
to the trail this spring to do it all again. Photo: MAC
Westside Riders, continued from page 2
Jim Minick, Joe Kelsey and friends enjoy a beautiful
spring hike in remote Swale Canyon.
Photo: B. Robinson
Meet Saturday, June 4, at 9 am at the Lyle trailhead, which is
located directly across from Greg Colt Realty on SR 14. Car
shuttles will be arranged at this time. The hike will commence
at Harms Road at 10:30 am. Hikers can expect to return to
their cars at the Lyle trailhead at approximately 5 pm. Check
our website (www.klickitat-trail.org ) a few days before for a
weather forecast and updates.
National Trails Day events are hosted by local and statewide
trail clubs, city, state and federal public land or health agencies,
community groups, businesses and other non-profit organizations. Since its launch in 1993, National Trail Day has grown
from 100 registered events attended by 10,000 people, to
nearly a thousand events attended by an estimated 105,000
outdoor recreationists in 2004.
To learn more about the American Hiking Society’s National
Trail Day 2005, please visit www.NationalTrailsDay.org.
It seemed like after every little downhill we had another hill to climb,
but we had nice views into Swale Canyon and Mt Adams in the distance.
We rolled into Lyle 44 total miles later, with a ride time of 4:14. We
averaged 10.3 mph, and climbed a total of 2000 feet. We experienced one “goat’s head” flat on a fat tire mountain bike, and two
pinch flats on the cross bikes with the narrow tires.
This is a great route for Westside Cascade residents looking for a
drier ride. I recommend checking forecasts before heading out. I'd
hate to be in Swale Canyon in a rainstorm in late November or early
March. Good weather links to check are:
♦
♦
♦
www.accuweather.com
www.uswx.com
www.intellicast.com
Enter Lyle (98635), Klickitat (98628) and Goldendale (98620) for
your reports. The Klickitat forecast gives you a good reading on the
mid section of this ride. The Goldendale forecast will give you the
upper Swale Canyon and Centerville Hwy section forecast. This area
of the route is exposed to the elements and one can experience
high headwinds on the return route.
Joe Hamilton
Vancouver, WA
Page 8
Klickitat Trail Conservancy
PO Box 512
Lyle, WA 98635
info@klickitat-trail.org
www.klickitat-trail.org
Klickitat Trail Map Available!
download your free copy @
www.klickitat-trail.org/map.htm
The Mission of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy is to preserve
and promote the public use of the 31 mile Klickitat trail as a recreational, cultural, natural, educational, and economic asset of Klickitat
County.
Members strongly support the purposes, goals, and
objectives of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy.
Trail Notes is a bi-annual publication of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy. Submissions are welcome. Articles, pictures and comments can be
sent to: PO Box 512, Lyle, WA 98635 or info@klickitat-trail.org.
Editor: Lisa Conway
Board of Directors — Officers
President ........................... Jim Minick, Lyle, WA
Vice President ................... Cheryl Steindorf, Klickitat, WA
Vice President ................... Pam Springer, Lyle, WA
Treasurer & Webmaster .... Pam Essley, Lyle, WA
Secretary ........................... Bernie MacDonald, Centerville Hwy, WA
Members at Large
Works Chair: Barbara Robinson,
Rowena, OR
Dan Lichtenwald - Goldendale, WA
Jim Denton - Odell, OR
Joe Kelsey - Hood River, OR
Bev Linde - Goldendale, WA
Laura Bales - Klickitat, WA
Walker-Macy, a landscape architecture firm from Portland,
Oregon, has been diligently working (pro bono) on a much
needed map of the Klickitat Trail.
According to Ben Johnson, from Walker-Macy, “we are 99.9%
complete with the design of the map. The remaining step is to get
financial support from local advertisers. Advertiser support will
allow the KTC to give the maps away for free.”
Johnson adds, “Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of
working with the KTC developing the trail map. Thank you to the
KTC for allowing me to contribute to this great project.”
While the map has not yet gone to press, it is available to
anyone, for free, on the KTC website.
Our thanks to Ben Johnson and Walker-Macy for helping KTC
reach this milestone.
If you are interested in advertising on the trail map,
please contact the Conservancy at
info@klickitat-trail.org.
YES! You can count on my ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP to help preserve and promote the
public use of the Klickitat Trail! As a member,
I strongly support the purposes, goals and objectives of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy.
Name
Mailing address
City, State, Zip
__ $25 (standard) __ $500
__ $50
__ $____
__ $100
__ $250
Please mail to:
KTC
PO Box 512
Lyle, WA 98635
Phone
Email
__ Add me to the KTC listserv, an email list for sharing timely information about the trail, including hike
updates, work party information, fresh news, and events.
__ I am interested in volunteering for trail work.
__ I am interested in being more involved in the KTC organization in the following areas:
Comments?
www.klickitat-trail.org • info@klickitat-trail.org